Home Remedies for Loss of Smell & Taste

Written by katherine harder

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Try to restore your sense of smell and taste by using home remedies. (smell the flowers image by Wendy Hotalling from Fotolia.com)

While some people experience a loss of smell and taste as part of the ageing process, other health issues may also cause these symptoms. You should investigate the loss of your sense of smell and taste by consulting with your doctor, but in the meantime, test out some home remedies.

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Eliminate Smoking

Smoking dries out your nasal passages, and those passages become more dry over time, reducing your ability to smell. Since smell is one the most important factors of taste, your ability to taste is lessened as well. Quit smoking or reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke daily. You may see an improvement in your sense of smell and taste.

Take a Zinc Supplement

Zinc deficiencies are associated with loss of taste and smell, so adding a zinc supplement may clear up your problem. Naturopathic doctor Laurent Chaix, quoted in the Doctor's Book of Home Remedies published by the editors of Prevention Magazine, recommends taking a zinc or multivitamin supplement containing at least 15 milligrams of zinc each day. Symptoms that you suffer from zinc deficiency include white spots or deep horizontal ridges on your nails, hair loss and slow healing.

Examine Your Medication

Several prescription medications may interfere with your sense of taste and smell. Some of these include Parkinson's medications, calcium channel blockers, chronic bronchial asthma medications, nasal allergy adrenocorticoid drugs, some psychiatric medications including Prozac and lithium, as well as over the counter medicines such as aspirin and pseudoephedrine. While it may not be possible for you to discontinue the use of your prescription medications, your doctor may have some alternatives for you to try, especially if your loss of smell and taste is severely affecting your appetite. Also ask your doctor about alternatives to any over-the-counter medications affecting your taste and smell.